Human Trafficking: A Global Problem
Human trafficking is a global problem that impacts every country. The U.S. State Department estimates that there are currently 27.6 million human trafficking victims all around the world. Human traffickers prey on all types of individuals, as men, women, and children are all targeted for exploitation. The most common form of human trafficking involves sex trafficking and accounts for approximately 79% of all trafficking victims.
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Reports
Mauritius
In Mauritius, it is estimated that more than 1,000 people are living in the country as modern slaves. Many of these victims are trafficked to the country from East Africa and Madagascar. Children, in particular, are targeted and trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation. In our report, we highlighted stories of individuals who were lured to Mauritius with the promise of good-paying jobs, only to be forced into prostitution once they arrived. For example:
On March 2, 2023, a human trafficker brought a thirty-year-old woman to Mauritius with the false promise that he was going to pay for her beautician classes. However, once she arrived in Mauritius, she was sexually abused by her trafficker, and he confessed to her that she would not be a beautician but instead be exploited for sex and that she had no choice. On March 14, 2023, she was able to file a complaint with the police, and the man was arrested and charged with human trafficking.
Senegal
In our report for Senegal, we highlighted how children as young as six are trafficked by Quranic teachers and are exploited for the money that is to be gained from child begging. This practice preys on the poor and vulnerable because Muslim religious leaders, known as Marabouts, promise parents that they will take care of their children and teach them the Quran. However, these parents are unaware of what actually happens to the children, as the children are often exploited and forced to beg for money, or else they will suffer physical and mental abuse.
Malta
In our report for Malta, we detailed how victims are lured to the country with false promises of jobs, only to be forced into a different job and stripped of their passports. All too often, these victims are women who were lied to and find themselves being forced into prostitution. Tragically, the government is not doing enough to protect these victims, as the number of human trafficking investigations decreased in 2022.
Belize
In Belize, women and children both from Belize and abroad are the most likely to be trafficked. In fact, as of February 2023, 65% of the current cases of human trafficking that are under investigation involve female minors. Below you will find just one of the examples we highlighted in our report on Belize:
On October 28, 2021, Jeffery Perez was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment and Petrona Montejo to ten years for charges related to child trafficking and sexual exploitation. This sentencing stemmed from an investigation done by Belize’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit in March 2019. Petrona Montejo was arrested for procuring a child to be sexually exploited, and Jeffery Perez was arrested for child prostitution. This marked Belize’s second successful human trafficking conviction since 2016.
Protecting Victims and Prosecuting Traffickers
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Relevant to Human Trafficking
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article highlights the issue of human trafficking, which is connected to various Sustainable Development Goals. SDG 5 addresses gender equality, which is relevant as women and children are often targeted for trafficking. SDG 8 focuses on decent work and economic growth, which is related to the false promises of jobs made to victims. SDG 10 aims to reduce inequalities, including the vulnerability of individuals who are trafficked. SDG 16 emphasizes peace, justice, and strong institutions, which are crucial for combating human trafficking and prosecuting traffickers. Finally, SDG 17 highlights the importance of partnerships and cooperation between countries to address this global problem.
2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking
- Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources
Based on the issues discussed in the article, these specific targets under the identified SDGs are relevant. They focus on eliminating violence against women and girls, eradicating forced labor and trafficking, ensuring safe migration, ending violence against children, and enhancing global partnerships for sustainable development.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Number of human trafficking victims
- Percentage of sex trafficking victims
- Number of individuals living as modern slaves
- Number of children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation
- Number of human trafficking investigations
- Percentage of human trafficking cases involving female minors
- Number of successful human trafficking convictions
The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of human trafficking victims, the percentage of sex trafficking victims, the number of individuals living as modern slaves, the number of children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation, the number of human trafficking investigations, the percentage of human trafficking cases involving female minors, and the number of successful human trafficking convictions.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres | – Percentage of sex trafficking victims – Number of successful human trafficking convictions |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking | – Number of individuals living as modern slaves – Number of children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | – Number of human trafficking victims – Number of successful human trafficking convictions |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Number of human trafficking investigations – Percentage of human trafficking cases involving female minors |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources | – Number of successful human trafficking convictions |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: aclj.org
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